Rural Romania: Wolf People in Sheep's Clothing

Rural Romania: Wolf People in Sheep's ClothingMaramures, Moldavia and Transylvania are regions which have retained an almost medieval simplicity and beauty. In secluded valleys bordered by the Carpathian Mountains and shaded by clouds of plum blossom lie villages with wooden churches and houses where ancient rituals, festivities, clothes and crafts are cherished. To educate this illiterate world the outer walls of late medieval monastic churches were covered with colourful religious frescoes.

Inside the ring wall of the Saxon fortified church at Miercurea Sibiului Herr Roth, descendant of 12th century German settlers, rests against the thick wooden chests that have protected the harvests of Saxon families for centuries. Photo Mick Palarczyk.